Certainly going to be a landmark game
To begin with, i urge anyone to try this game for themselves if they liked the previous titles or a great story. Sure, you play some very very bad men, but their story is so well done and entertaining. We lead such boring lives, this game lets you live a new life (3 in fact) where you can do anything you want and without consequences. I completely disagree with anyone saying this game is bad for people or causing people to act violently or encouraging people to become criminals etc. Mentally unstable people can be triggered by a number of events, movies, games, arguments, sometimes even minor everyday things. Games don't make people do things, people make people do things, end of story.
I also would like to briefly touch on the gamespot reviewers review.
Although most of it is accurate, her opinions on the humor (specifically toward women) are pretty biased. They really should have used another reviewer who likes this kind of thing. Caroline notoriously hates these kind of themes and considering that's what GTA is about, she should have stood down so we'd get a better review. Not that's she's a bad reviewer.. but when you already dislike the theme, prior to reviewing, it kinda destroys the reviews credibility.
At the end of the day, this game is offensive, extreme and UNREALISTIC. That's why it's good. It pokes fun at men, women, stereotypes, different races, society and just about anything else. If you choose to take offense to something that isn't supposed to be offensive, that's your decision. But maybe this game isn't for you.
Now, the gameplay.
The 3 protagonist idea is quite amazing. I've never seen this kinda thing done in a game before and i really liked it. You get 3 completely different characters all with their own unique friends, back stories and missions. This was a great idea and well executed.
I should also note that all of the protagonists are exceptional characters. Some of the best in gaming, you will likely never forget them. (or at least Trevor)
This game reminds me more of GTA SA than GTAIV.
I enjoyed both of these games, but i felt 4 was a little lacking when you weren't in the story. Even so, i felt some of the characters were a waste of space too. I still enjoyed it and I don't think it's bad by any means. But it didn't pull me in like SA did.
However, i also don't feel that way toward 5. I can recall not wanting to put San Andreas down, but i can put down 5 too. This doesn't however suggest that 5 is worse than SA. I believe the reason is because i am getting older. I don't have as much time for video games and they aren't the center of my world. Looking at them both now i can say that GTA5 is an IMPROVEMENT on GTA SA. It's a much better executed game and has a hell of a lot more to do.
But, at the time of San andreas, there wasn't anything like it. I'll forever appreciate that game for what it was.
The bottom line is that GTAV is an amazing game that is done very very well.
Nothing is perfect, but this game comes pretty close. You'll likely love it and happily look back on the 50+ hours you get out of it.